Dyslexia

The term dyslexia was introduced in 1884 by the German ophthalmologist, R. Berlin. He coined it from the Greek words dys meaning ill or difficult and lexis meaning word, and used it to describe a specific disturbance of reading in the absence of pathological conditions in the visual organs. In a later publication, in 1887, Berlin stated that dyslexia, “presuming right handedness,” is caused by a left-sided cerebral lesion. He spoke of “word-blindness” and detailed his observations with six patients with brain lesions who had full command over verbal communications but had lost the ability to read.

In the century to follow the narrow definition Berlin attached to the term dyslexia would broaden. Today the term dyslexia is frequently used to refer to a “normal” child — or adult — who seems much brighter than what his reading and written work suggest. While the term is mostly used to describe a severe reading problem, there has been little agreement in the literature or in practice concerning the definition of severe or the specific distinguishing characteristics that differentiate dyslexia from other reading problems.

Although there is a large number of other “disabilities” to be found within the LD field, dyslexia — also called a reading disability — remains the most common. Estimates of learning-disabled students being dyslexic vary between 70 and 85 percent. Some experts are of the opinion that this percentage is even higher, so much so that labeling a child as learning disabled is understood to include a reading disability.

RESOURCES:

Audiblox: Overcoming Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and other Learning Difficulties
Effective in overcoming dyslexia and other learning difficulties by addressing the underlying shortcomings that interfere with academic performance.

Dyslexia Symptoms & Dyslexia Signs
Resource details the symptoms of dyslexia, including the possible effects of this disorder on math and handwriting.